We present a novel algorithm to perform continuous collision detection (CCD) for articulated bodies when the motion of bodies is governed by an adaptive dynamics simulation. The algorithm is based on a novel hierarchical set of transforms to represent the kinematics of an articulated body recursively described by an assembly tree. The performance of our CCD algorithm significantly improves as t...

We present a method for simplifying a polygonal character with an associated skeletal deformation such that the simplified character approximates the original shape well when deformed. As input, we require a set of example poses that are representative of the types of deformations the character undergoes and we produce a multiresolution hierarchy for the simplified character where all simplifie...

We develop an object detection algorithm for difficult-to-detect objects with consumerlevel range cameras. The increasing popularity of such devices made the process of obtaining depth data extremely easy. The availability of depth data motivates the need for algorithms that will be able to process it in meaningful ways, so that it then can be used in applications like robot navigation or objec...

Robots operating in home environments must be able to interact with articulated objects such as doors or drawers. Ideally, robots are able to autonomously infer articulation models by observation. In this paper, we present an approach to learn kinematic models by inferring the connectivity of rigid parts and the articulation models for the corresponding links. Our method uses a mixture of param...

The purpose of this paper is concerned with the mathematical model development issues, necessary for a better prediction of dynamic responses of articulated rotor helicopters. The methodology is laid out based on mathematical model development for an articulated rotor helicopters, using the theories of aeroelastisity, finite element and the time domain compressible unsteady aerodynamics. The he...

Non-linear characteristic of tire forces is the main cause of vehicle lateral dynamics instability, while direct yaw moment control is an effective method to recover the vehicle stability. In this paper, an optimal linear quadratic regulator (LQR) controller for roll-yaw dynamics to articulated heavy vehicles is developed. For this purpose, the equations of motion obtained by the MATLAB sof...